Western Africa
Geography
Jungles in Western Africa
In Western Africa, the climate heats up rapidly as you get closer to the Equator. At the coast West Africa, there is a tropical rainforest climate, and this climate changes to a heavily deciduous forest, and then to savanna and grass lands. This rapid changing in climate and vegetation means that there are many different exports from this region. For example, the exports of the coastal rain forest country Cote d’ Ivoire are cocoa, coffee, timber, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, and fish. Then the exports of the grass land and savanna country of Niger are uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, and onions. These differences in exports are because of the rapid climate changes in very small latitude.
Savhana's in Western Africa
Also, there is a massive population difference as you go closer to the equatorial region of West Africa. The Rainforest Climate has a much more promising lifestyle then a savanna farmer. Nigeria (rain forest climate) has the densest population, and most of that density is in its rainforests. All of these factors of geography lead to the major difference of economies in the two parts of the region. The geography of the area is a major hampering factor in the economic health of an area wherever you are.
River streams in Africa
Also, most of the population follows one of the four major rivers of the area. Around these rivers, there is a massive population increase compared to the arid regions away from them. These four rivers are the Niger, the Senegal, the Volta, and the Benue River. Without these very important land marks, a lot of the civilizations in this area would be impossible to continue.
In this article, I have explained how geography has had an effect on the population, and economies of West Africa. I explained how different regions have different exports, and because of that, very different economies. I have also showed how the climate of a region shows how the region may have a different population, and finally, that rivers can show where a population will thrive.
In this article, I have explained how geography has had an effect on the population, and economies of West Africa. I explained how different regions have different exports, and because of that, very different economies. I have also showed how the climate of a region shows how the region may have a different population, and finally, that rivers can show where a population will thrive.
Imperialism
Eastern African Map
In Western Africa, the effects of imperialism have been catastrophic, and have caused many wars in its wake. Imperialism has also thrown many West African countries into never ending civil wars over powers in the countries. Thanks to countries like Portugal, Brittan, and Spain, Africa will have a permanent disability compared to other countries.
After Portugal left Guinea Bissau, it entered a state of war, the area and its surrounding countries were plunged into war over the controlling powers of the country. This made tribes in the area very hostile to one another. Even after the war, the economy was crushed. This has been heard of in the path of imperialism before though. Just like the Congo’s condition, it was caused by a power hungry super power’s secession from a country
After Portugal left Guinea Bissau, it entered a state of war, the area and its surrounding countries were plunged into war over the controlling powers of the country. This made tribes in the area very hostile to one another. Even after the war, the economy was crushed. This has been heard of in the path of imperialism before though. Just like the Congo’s condition, it was caused by a power hungry super power’s secession from a country
Nigerian chief
Along with similar story in Nigeria, where the country’s leadership was used to harass their inhabitants through the exploiting of chiefs. Brittan was abducting Nigerian chiefs, and using them to further promote the slave trade. At some points they would even kill these chiefs. When the British left the country, there was little to no leaders left, so the country was left in a state of helplessness until they could repair their form of government.
Some other things that Imperialism had done to Western Africa can be described as horrendous, and monstrous. Europeans went into the countries with intentions of profit, not to better the inhabitants of the country. Secondly, they distributed mass amounts of diseases and flues to inhabitants of countries. They also killed and tortured thousands upon thousands of innocent inhabitants of the countries.
Some other things that Imperialism had done to Western Africa can be described as horrendous, and monstrous. Europeans went into the countries with intentions of profit, not to better the inhabitants of the country. Secondly, they distributed mass amounts of diseases and flues to inhabitants of countries. They also killed and tortured thousands upon thousands of innocent inhabitants of the countries.
African soliders in 1950's
On the other hand, without European countries, Africa would have never earned resources like the gun or the sword as soon as they had. These tools helped kill animals, and establish a military system. Because of Europe, they also began to view a well established military, and a well established economy. Imperialism had its ups and downs in Western Africa, but it will always be remarked as a major turning point in the area of the continent.
By: Brendan Beauschamp
Date: 14 Nov. 2012
By: Brendan Beauschamp
Date: 14 Nov. 2012